15 nominees ignored

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The story "Senate confirms Shelby to Utah's federal court" (Tribune, Sept. 22) accurately recounts the justifiable pleasure Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee took in the confirmation of Robert Shelby as a federal judge for Utah

Absent, however, is analysis of the Senate's determination to confirm only one other district court nominee. It recessed until after November without considering any of the 15 well-qualified consensus district court nominees who have been waiting for months because GOP senators refuse to permit votes.

When the lame duck session convenes, Utah's senators should help to fill the 76 vacancies in federal district and appellate courts. For the good of the country, the confirmation wars must stop.

Carl Tobias

Richmond, Va.

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